Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To admit one's powerlessness / to concede one's inability: To formally or reluctantly acknowledge that one is completely incapable of doing something or overcoming a situation, often after having tried or considered the circumstances.
   • To throw in the towel / to give up: To surrender to circumstances or admit defeat because the challenge is beyond one's capacity or control.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Vấn đề này phức tạp quá, tôi chịu phép. (This problem is too complicated; I admit I'm powerless.)
  • Nó tài giỏi đến mấy cũng chịu phép. (However skilful he is, he still has to concede his powerlessness.)
  • Trong những điều kiện như thế, tôi xin chịu phép thôi. (Under such conditions, I must declare myself incapable.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies a respectful or formal concession, especially when facing an authority, an insurmountable obstacle, or a superior force. It is not used for simple, everyday tasks one chooses not to do.

Variants and Related Words

• Chịu thua (v): to admit defeat, to give up. This is a more general and common term for surrendering or conceding.

  • Tôi chịu thua, câu đố này khó quá. (I give up; this riddle is too difficult.)

• Bó tay (v, idiom): to be helpless, to have one's hands tied. Expresses a state of being unable to do anything.

  • Tình hình hỗn loạn, cảnh sát cũng bó tay. (The situation is chaotic; even the police are helpless.)

Synonyms

• Admit defeat: To acknowledge that one has lost or been beaten.
• Concede inability: To formally acknowledge a lack of power or capacity.
• Succumb: To yield to a superior force or overpowering appeal.

Related Idioms

• Chịu trận: to endure a situation (often negative) without fighting back, to take one's lumps.

  • Lỗi do anh ta, nên anh ta phải chịu trận. (The mistake was his, so he has to take the consequences.)

• Đầu hàng số phận: to surrender to fate.

  • Sau nhiều thất bại, ông ấy đành đầu hàng số phận. (After many failures, he had to surrender to fate.)

1. To count oneself completely powerless
   • nó tài giỏi đến mấy cũng chịu phép
     however skilful, he counted himself powerless